Recommendations for the Best Binoculars for Offshore Sailing?

[Smrgrubbs]

My husband has been using the same binoculars for about 30 years. I want to get him new ones for Christmas but have no idea what are the best out there. I would love any suggestions. He does a fair amount of offshore sailing (so good ones for night would be great) , as well as our usual day sails around the Bay.
Thanks in advance for any ideas!

[steve77]

For night vision, we really like our Fujinon Polaris binoculars. Not cheap, but top notch quality.

Cheers!

Steve

[Smrgrubbs]

Fantastic Steve. Thank you! I will check them out!

[Smrgrubbs]

Do you know the specs on yours? I just googled them and there are a few of them~

[tkeithlu]

Steve probably means the 7x50 FMT-SX. The other options are stabilized and with compass, but that model is Fujinons best glass, and really kicked the market when it came out. I wish I had a pair. Here it is on Amazon, although you may be able to find a better price.

https://www.amazon.com/Fujinon-Polar...612470&sr=8-13

In fact, here it is at a better price from BH photo, a favorite source of mine:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...Binocular.html

Stay with 7x50. It's the standard for being able to hold steady (7 power) and light gathering (big 50mm lens).

[Jammer]

I have the Fujinon Polaris 7x50s with compass. They're great. Mine came from B&H.


The two things to be aware of are that they are big and heavy, and that the compass is not illuminated.


I have a pair of lightweight binocs that are fine for day use. I think they're 8x32 pentaprism. The big 7x50s come into their own after dusk and have better resolving power, more brightness, and better contrast.

[BlueH2Obound]

I find it kind of ironic that in the Amazon Binocular link above, the pic of the Binoculars is out of focus!

[tkeithlu]

That is truly funny, BlueWater. Thanks for noticing.

[skipmac]

My opinion, for what it's worth, no single pair is perfect for all situations.

For night and low light to spot things a good quality 7x50 set. Fujinon is excellent. Steiner, Zeis, Nikon and others also make good ones and the difference is not humongous.

For navigation when you need to read numbers on a channel marker or identify details a set of stabilized binoculars are the best. Again one of the Fujinon models is probably the best although the smaller Canons are lightweight and a very cost effective option.

[skipmac]

Forgot to add, keep a couple of cheap binoculars around for guests and general abuse. I find them on Craigslist for $30-40.

[BobMillington]

If your looking for a pair that won’t break the bank and is of high quality, the Steiner set below is great for daytime use.

We love ours.

Steiner Navigator Pro 7x50 Binoculars with Compass https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IWZK5XC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_.hL0Fb83CXVRB

Bob
SvWorkLife Balance

[Scott Berg]

In my cruising class I state without apology that a good pair of 7x50 binoculars is a major safety issue and if you didn't spend $500 you bought the wrong pair. As people said: Fuji, Steiner, Leica, Zeiss. It's a very personal decision so buy from a chandlery that will allow a return if it turns out his hands fit the Fuji better than my fav, the Steiner. Well worth the full boat unit in my experience.

[Mlp48]

I have used them all and at some price point, there will be great quality throughout the mix. I liked what's been said here about having a lesser pair because I have traveled with a pair of 7 x 50 Fujinons which I purchased in about 1980. EVERYONE has wanted them. I've been skipper and do not want to pick up binocs that have been adjusted to another's vision. Via yard sales, etc., I found a way to stack the cockpit with lesser binocs and.... have hid my own.

[captmikem]

If you have the cash, stabilized binoculars are truly amazing. Fujinon makes some medium and good ones.

When it is a bit rough and you are trying to see something, you push the stab button and all of a sudden the image is stationary and clear. Until you try them, it is hard to imagine.

M

[Robhwa]

Originally Posted by captmikem

If you have the cash, stabilized binoculars are truly amazing. Fujinon makes some medium and good ones.

When it is a bit rough and you are trying to see something, you push the stab button and all of a sudden the image is stationary and clear. Until you try them, it is hard to imagine.

M

I agree. I mostly seem to go for my Canon 12x36 IS, even though I have more expensive ones with higher quality glass and larger objective lenses (better light gathering). I am rarely able to use that higher quality on a boat since you always seem to be moving. An exception is at anchor resting the binos on something. En-route, hit the IS button and the whole world changes from jerky to stable, within reason. Too much boat movement, and I go to 7x and the larger field of view.